"Then, M.Anne, I have a crow to pick with you.

What compensation do you propose to make for the death of my servant?
A decent, quiet fellow, whom you killed yesterday, poor man, because his enthusiasm for the true faith carried him away a little." "Whom I killed because he drew a dagger on M.St.Croix de Caylus at the Vicomte's gate," I answered steadily.

I had thought about this of course and was ready for it.

"You are aware, M.de Bezers," I continued, "that the Vicomte has jurisdiction extending to life and death over all persons within the valley ?" "My household excepted," he rejoined quietly.
"Precisely; while they are within the curtilage of your house," I retorted.

"However as the punishment was summary, and the man had no time to confess himself, I am willing to--" "Well ?" "To pay Father Pierre to say ten masses for his soul." The way the Vidame received this surprised me.